16 Oct 2010

Chemical declared toxic by Canada

2:46 pm on 16 October 2010

Canada has become the first country in the world to declare a chemical found in many consumer products toxic.

Some studies show the chemical, bisphenol A, which is found in hard plastics including baby bottles and the lining of food cans, may interfere with the body's hormones.

The European Food Safety Authority said two weeks ago that the chemical posed no health risk.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand chief scientist Paul Brent says there are no plans here to follow Canada's lead.